APCSP Global and Ethical Implications Flashcards

Which principle is addressed by laws like the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA)?

Answer: That unauthorized access to computer systems is illegal

The CFAA makes unauthorized access to computer systems a federal crime, protecting individuals and organizations from hacking.

What is 'digital divide' in the context of computing innovations?

Answer: The unequal access to technology and the internet across different socioeconomic groups

The digital divide refers to disparities in technology access based on income, geography, or education, creating unequal opportunities.

Which describes a benefit of open-source software for society?

Answer: It allows anyone to view, modify, and distribute the code, fostering collaboration and innovation

Open-source software enables global collaboration, reduces costs for users, and allows communities to improve and audit code freely.

What ethical concern arises when algorithms are used to make hiring decisions?

Answer: Algorithms can perpetuate existing biases if trained on historically biased data

If an algorithm is trained on past hiring data that reflected bias, it may systematically disadvantage certain demographic groups.

What is 'net neutrality' and why does it matter?

Answer: The principle that internet service providers must treat all data equally without blocking or throttling

Net neutrality prevents ISPs from favoring certain websites or services with faster speeds, ensuring an open and competitive internet.

Which is an example of a computing innovation that raised significant privacy concerns?

Answer: Facial recognition systems used in public surveillance

Public facial recognition systems can track individuals without their consent, raising major privacy and civil liberties concerns.